Reviews
The Northman (2022) Review - Robert Eggers' third feature film 'The Northman' (2022), starring Alexander Skarsgård as a prince intent on revenge for the murder of his father, might be his best yet. Review by Kieran Judge.
‘The Cabin in the Woods’ at 10 – Review - 10 years on from the UK release of 'The Cabin in the Woods' (2011/12), Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon's self-aware horror doesn't hit like it used to. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Sediments (2021) Review – BFI Flare - Writer-director Adrián Silvestre is a fly on the wall to document a group of trans women discussing their transitions in 'Sediments' (2022). Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) Review - Sonic returns in 'Sonic the Hedgehog 2' (2022) to offer "family filmmaking for a new generation", a funny big screen film starring Ben Schwartz, Jim Carrey and Idris Elba. Review by Joseph Wade.
Cop Secret (2021) Review – BFI Flare - 'Cop Secret' (2021), from Iceland international footballer Hannes Þór Halldórsson, is an outlandish and entertaining buddy cop movie. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Long Live My Happy Head (2022) Review – BFI Flare - 'Long Live My Happy Head' (2022) is a wonderful new documentary from Will Hewitt and Austen McCowan exploring impending death through art. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
The Bubble (2022) Review - 2022 Judd Apatow comedy 'The Bubble', released by Netflix and starring an ensemble of stars led by Karen Gillan, parodies the entertainment industry's response to the pandemic. Nick Armstrong reviews.
Morbius (2022) Review - Jared Leto stars in the long-gestated Sony-Marvel Spider-verse movie 'Morbius', from director Daniel Espinosa, and the result is lacking much-needed bite. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
True Things (2022) Review - Ruth Wilson and Tom Burke star in Harry Wootliff's 'True Things' (2022), an erotically-charged drama-thriller adapted from Deborah Kay Davies' "True Things About Me". Review by Joseph Wade.
‘The Godfather’ at 50 – Review - 50 years since the release of Francis Ford Coppola's eponymous gangster film 'The Godfather', it maintains its position as one of the greatest American films of all time. Jacob Davis reviews.
Robin Robin (2021) Short Film Review - Aardman Animation's Netflix film 'Robin Robin' (2021), nominated at the Oscars in 2022 for Best Animated Short, is a quintessentially British film incomparable at any length. Review by Joseph Wade.
‘Liar Liar’ at 25 – Review - 'Liar Liar', the 1997 comedy hit, celebrates 25 years since its release on the big screen in 2022, and it remains one of Jim Carrey's great performances. Jamie Garwood reviews.
The Windshield Wiper (2021) Short Film Review - Nominated for Best Animated Short at the 2022 Oscars, Alberto Mielgo's 'The Windshield Wiper' animated film featuring music from SoKo, reviewed by Joseph Wade.
King Richard (2021) Review - Will Smith stars as Richard Williams, the father and trainer of Venus and Serena Williams, in this story of the tennis aces' rise to superstardom. Joseph Wade reviews.
Turning Red (2022) Review - Pixar's 2022 Disney Plus animated film 'Turning Red', a "passionate and personal work" from 'Bao' director Domee Shi, has "big emotional beats in abundance". Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Belfast (2022) Review - Kenneth Branagh's black and white Oscar-nominated film 'Belfast' features 4 outstanding performances, including one by Judi Dench that is worth the price of admission. Joseph Wade reviews.
CODA (2021) Review - Sian Heder's 'CODA' (2021) is a best picture nominee at the Oscars, a 'bittersweet, well-performed crowd pleaser' starring Emilia Jones and Troy Kotsur. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
The Mitchells vs the Machines (2021) Review - Sony Pictures Animation offer the Oscar-nominated 'The Mitchells vs the Machines' (2021) as their follow-up to 'Into the Spider-Verse', and it has proven to be unmissable. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Flee (2022) Review - Riz Ahmed and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau bring 'Flee' to the big screen, an animated docudrama about an Afghan asylum seeker that is nominated for 3 Oscars. Review by Joseph Wade.
The Batman (2022) Review - A bold and distinct new vision of the Caped Crusader, Matt Reeves' 'The Batman' (2022) starring Robert Pattinson and Zoë Kravitz, reviewed by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) Review - David Blue Garcia brings Leatherface back in Netflix horror film 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' (2022), a sequel to Tobe Hooper's film with few redeeming features. Review by Kieran Judge.
Parallel Mothers (2021) Review - Pedro Almodóvar tells of two mothers, Penélope Cruz and Milena Smit, struggling with motherhood and Spain's past trauma in 'Parallel Mothers'. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Death on the Nile (2022) Review - Kenneth Branagh "entertains the hell out of you" in his adaptation of Agatha Christie book "Death on the Nile", leading an all-star cast (including Gal Gadot) as Hercule Poirot. Review by Kieran Judge.
Uncharted (2022) Review - Nathan Drake arrives on the big screen, Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg starring in Ruben Fleischer's film adaptation of 'Uncharted' (2022). Review by Christopher Connor.
‘Wayne’s World’ at 30 – Review - Wayne Campbell went from Saturday Night Live to the big screen 30 years ago, Mike Myers starring and co-writing 'Wayne's World' (1992). Retrospective review by Jamie Garwood.
‘Cabaret’ at 50 – Review - At fifty years of age, Bob Fosse's Oscar-winning film adaptation of 'Cabaret', starring Liza Minnelli, remains the benchmark for grounded movie musicals. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Jackass Forever (2022) Review - A reunion 12 years in the making, 'Jackass Forever' (2022) sees Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius and company reunite for a fourth time on the big screen. Review by Joseph Wade.
Flag Day (2022) Review - Sean Penn directs and stars in 'Flag Day' (2022) co-starring daughter Dylan Penn, though it's a film that doesn't live up to its potential as a serviceable family drama. Article by Kieran Judge.
Nightmare Alley (2022) Review - Guillermo del Toro returns to the big screen with 'Nightmare Alley' starring Bradley Cooper and Cate Blanchett, "a visual feast, a pleasure and a joy to behold and watch". Kieran Judge reviews.
Scream (2022) Review - The return of Ghostface to the big screen in 'Scream' (2022), for the first time since the passing of creator Wes Craven, is "fun and gory but with a severe identity crisis". Kieran Judge reviews.
Licorice Pizza (2021) Review - Paul Thomas Anderson's ninth feature film, 'Licorice Pizza' (2021) starring Cooper Hoffman and Alana Haim, is a "big-hearted and soulful" coming-of-age tale. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews,
‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ at 15 – Review - Guillermo del Toro's Oscar-nominated fantasy movie 'Pan's Labyrinth' at 15 - the critically acclaimed 2007 fantasy release re-evaluated. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Titane (2021) Review - Julia Ducournau's Cannes Palme d'Or winning body horror 'Titane' (2021) is cinema that reflects the parts of ourselves we rarely see on screen, "an experience". Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ at 75 – Review - 75 years after its release, Frank Capra's Christmas fable 'It's a Wonderful Life' (1946) still connects with those who sacrifice so much of themselves to the greater good. Katie Doyle reviews.
Elf (2003) Review - 'Elf' (2003) is "one of the most perfect examples of a timeless Christmas classic", in no small part due to the work of director Jon Favreau and breakout star Will Ferrell. Elisabetta Pulcini reviews.
West Side Story (2021) Review - Steven Spielberg's 'West Side Story' (2021), film musical adaptation of the stage play from Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein, will leave you shiny-eyed. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
House of Gucci (2021) Review - Lady Gaga and Adam Driver are acting in another movie to Jared Leto and others in Ridley Scott's true-to-life Gucci empire story, 'House of Gucci' (2021). Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Home Sweet Home Alone (2021) Review - 'Home Sweet Home Alone' (2021) dares to stand where a classic once did, this 6th 'Home Alone' film from Dan Mazer and available on Disney Plus now. Review by Joseph Wade.
‘Beauty and the Beast’ at 30 – Review - "Every imitation feels pale in comparison" to Disney Animation's 'Beauty and the Beast' (1991), now 30 years old. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews the Disney Renaissance classic.
Ali and Ava (2021) Review - British director Clio Barnard offers her funniest film yet in the Bradford-set 'Ali and Ava', a story of two people growing close despite differences. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Petite Maman (2021) Review - 'Portrait of a Lady on Fire' director Céline Sciamma offers 'Petite Maman' (2021), her latest exploration of womanhood. It will unravel the grief in each of us. Joseph Wade reviews.
Mothering Sunday (2021) Review - Odessa Young and Josh O'Connor excel in an otherwise regular post-Great War romance from Eva Husson and screenwriter Alice Birch, 'Mothering Sunday' (2021). Review by Joseph Wade.
The Souvenir: Part II (2021) Review - 'The Souvenir: Part II' (2021), Joanna Hogg's self-reflective sequel to 'The Souvenir' starring Honor Swinton Byrne and Tilda Swinton, is rich, prodigious cinema. Joseph Wade reviews.
Last Night in Soho (2021) Review - Edgar Wright 2021 film 'Last Night in Soho' starring Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy is an uneven ode to swinging sixties Soho, a horror close to the director's heart. Christopher Connor reviews.
No Sudden Move (2021) Review - 'No Sudden Move' (2021) is a creative if uneven 1950s heist thriller from Steven Soderbergh starring Benicio del Toro and Don Cheadle at the head of an all-star cast. Christopher Connor reviews.
Dear Evan Hansen (2021) Review - Broadway musical 'Dear Evan Hansen' has arrived on the big screen to a controversial reception. Ben Platt stars in Stephen Chbosky's musical. Mark Carnochan reviews.
Eternals (2021) Review - Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao directs Marvel Phase Four entry 'Eternals', bringing real stakes and a deeper sense of existentialism to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Review by Mark Carnochan.
The French Dispatch (2021) Review - Wes Anderson's 'The French Dispatch' (2021) is a wildly inventive ode to print journalism and French culture, with hints of Truffaut. Chalamet, Ronan, Wilson and more star. Christopher Connor reviews.
Nitram (2021) LFF Review - Justin Kurzel film 'Nitram' (2021), starring Caleb Landry Jones, commits the sin of humanising a monster, something even a tense atmosphere and fantastic performances can't overcome. Leoni Horton reviews.
The Last Duel (2021) Review - Ridley Scott directs 'The Last Duel', the first Matt Damon and Ben Affleck script since 'Good Will Hunting', a period drama that continues Scott's good run of form. Mark Carnochan reviews.
Halloween Kills (2021) Review - 'Halloween' sequel 'Halloween Kills' (2021) is "an absolute mess. It’s a disgrace to the original". Jamie Lee Curtis leads a horror movie ensemble. Kieran Judge reviews.
The Power of the Dog (2021) LFF Review - Benedict Cumberbatch leads an ensemble cast in 2021 Jane Campion western 'The Power of the Dog', an unyielding exploration of masculinity against the backdrop of the old west. Leoni Horton reviews.
Spencer (2021) LFF Review - Kristen Stewart stars as Princess Diana in 'Spencer' (2021), from 'Jackie' director Pablo Larraín, an ambitious achievement that reframes the tragic legacy of the female icon. Leoni Horton reviews.
Escape the Undertaker (2021) Review - WWE and Netflix interactive film 'Escape the Undertaker' makes a mockery of WWE Studios releases, offering something actually joyful and well made. Mark Carnochan reviews.
No Time to Die (2021) Review - Daniel Craig says goodbye to the Bond franchise in Cary Joji Fukunaga's 'No Time to Die' (2021), co-starring Lashana Lynch, Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Ride the Eagle (2021) Review - Jake Johnson co-writes and stars in 'Ride the Eagle' (2021), the Trent O'Donnell film of a man reconnecting with his deceased mother and makes the most of Covid limitations. Review by Leoni Horton.
Isle of Dogs (2018) Review - 2018 stop motion animation 'Isle of Dogs' is a loving ode to dog-kind from famed contemporary auteur Wes Anderson, and features an all-star cast. Christopher Connor reviews.
Delphine’s Prayers (2021) Open City Documentary Festival Review - 'Delphine's Prayers' (2021), from well regarded documentarian Rosine Mbakam, serves as a memoir by its subject, a Belgian immigrant with a traumatic, perspective-shifting story. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Songs for the River (2021) Open City Documentary Festival Review - Charlotte Ginsborg coronavirus pandemic documentary 'Songs for the River' highlights social and political issues from the perspective of a small London community. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Juste un mouvement (2021) Open City Documentary Festival Review - Inspired by the work of Jean-Luc Godard, Vincent Meessen's 'Juste un mouvement' (2021) documentary on Senegalese left-wing revolutionary Omar Blondin Diop, review. By Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (2021) Review - The creative minds behind the "Everybody's Talking About Jamie" stage musical have adapted the story for the big screen in what may be 2021's best movie musical. Mark Carnochan reviews.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) Review - Marvel's first true martial arts film is endlessly thrilling, funny and heartfelt. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, starring Simu Liu and Awkwafina. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ at 10 – Review - 10 years on from its 2011 release, Tomas Alfredson's film adaptation of John le Carré’s "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" feels more relevant and connective today than ever. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
The Road Dance (2021) EIFF Review - 'The Road Dance', from filmmaker Richie Adams and adapted from the book by John MacKay, returns Scottish cinema to its roots, though makes for a frustrating experience. Mark Carnochan reviews.
Candyman (2021) Review - Nia DaCosta horror sequel 'Candyman' (2021), from producer and co-writer Jordan Peele, starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, feels less organic and poised than the original. Kieran Judge reviews.
The Nest (2021) Review - 'The Nest' (2021), from 'Martha Marcy May Marlene' director Sean Durkin, features a career-defining Carrie Coon performance that deserves to be seen on the big screen. Charlie Gardiner reviews.
Mad God (2021) EIFF Review - Phil Tippett, the man behind visual effects on the likes of 'Jurassic Park', directs stop motion animation 'Mad God', nightmare fuel 30 years in the making. Mark Carnochan reviews.
Annette (2021) EIFF Review - Sparks and Leos Carax combine for the unique and interesting movie musical 'Annette', starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard. Mark Carnochan reviews.
Mandibles (2021) EIFF Review - 'Mandibles' (2020/21), the latest film from French director Quentin Dupieux and starring Adèle Exarchopoulos, is a significant drop in quality from 'Deerskin'. Mark Carnochan reviews.
Here Today (2021) EIFF Review - Bolly Crystal writes, directs and co-stars with Tiffany Haddish in 'Here Today' (2021), a film that survives on the charisma and chemistry of its leading duo. Mark Carnochan reviews.